Introduce yourselves
We are a four-piece band coming out of Canberra, Australia. The band consists of Patrick Ryan (vocals/guitar), Tim Douglass (guitar/keys), Jono Warren (drums) and Jack Schwenke (bass). Stemming from a broad range of musical influences, we aim to capture and deliver what has been special about pop music since its origin: Relatable lyrics and catchy hooksย that are able to evoke foot-tapping enjoyment. That, and something that people can just dance to. And we also throw in a few cool guitar solos.
How did you all come together to start making music?
Tim, Jono and I all lived in the same residential collegree at our university, ANU. After a few times playing in the college band for various events,ย we decided to have a bit of a jam. Turns out, it went rather well. After a number of gigs and swapping instruments (to compensate for theย lack of a bassist), we met Jack, who studies with Tim and Jono at the music school. The rest is history.
How would you describe your music?
We've been described by a college radio presenter in the US as "Well, imagine if you will, Jack Johnson accidentally walking into a Beatles' session and they decided to write and record a few tunes 'just for the fun of it'", which is pretty cool. Those two artists definitely have an influence on us, but not so much so that we're bound to the confines of that brand of music. Fundamentally, we're a guitar-driven pop-rock band that doesn't mind mixing things up to keep it interesting.
What are some of your influences/inspirations, musical or otherwise
There's always the classics. And they are classics for a reason. Dylan, The Stones, the Beatles and Pink Floyd are all some of my favorites, who, along with many others, have shaped modern pop music. My personal all-time favorite is the Dire Straits. Tom Petty comes a close second. We write what we know, so all of these musicians, and countless others from a range of genres have helped to shape how and what I play.
Can you tell us about your experience working on your debut EP, 'Someday Soon'?
If you asked me a year and a half ago how I'd be spending my summer of 2013/14, never could I have fathomed that I'd be recording an EP. The whole experience was scary, mildly tedious at times (doing the same take over and over again can get to you), an awesome learning experience, and most of all, so much fun.ย
After writing a number of songs, we had planned to record a few tracks at a local studio in Canberra, then send them out for mixing. So, we shot off a couple of emails, to which we got back an email from Producer 'Lindsay Gravina', who not only was happy to mix our tracks, but wanted us to come into the studio to record with him. After months of pre-production, we managed to find the 5 that we were happy with to be released on an EP.
Once we got to the studios, we were exposed to a whole new world of music production that none of us had ever experienced before. Four weeks later, after many a late night listening over and over again to the same 5 tracks, we came out with an EP. It's a completely different side to gigging and live performance that we'd only before experienced to a minor degree. For me, I love the live stuff, so this was definitely where all the hard yards go.
What's your first musical memory?
Me and my Dad driving in his car blasting 'Breakdown' by Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers, with us both singing along. That song rocks.
Favourite collaboration? (Either real or imaginary - is there someone you'd love to work with?)
I reckon Katy Perry and The Steptones would make a killer song, negotiations are still in progress... Aside from that, I think it'd be so much fun to work with Dave Grohl.
How do you spend your mornings?
Sleeping, if I can. Although I start work atย 6amย a couple of times a week, which really throws a spanner in the works. Apart from that, lots and lots coffee.
Would you rather live one 1,000 year life, or ten 100 year lives?
Ten 100 year lives, It'd be fun to mix things up a bit.
